X-Pro1 & 35mm F2 Combo - AF Parallax Correction

[Wing0949]

I see this comment about the 35mm F2 parallax correction not working correctly with the X-Pro1 in some reviews (I think it was originally from The Phoblographer, I don't see anyone stating specifically what is wrong or how it does not work correctly.

 

I have latest firmware 3.5... I think, like you said, added support for the 35mm f2.. perhaps the reviewer had not had the latest firmware.. though, his posting (in November I believe) was after he latest update which was in late October.

 

Anyways, I don't find a problem using the 35mm f2 on the X-Pro1, which is great.

 

However, I did notice, to my personal surprise, that the AF Parallax Correction (where you have the 2 offset boxes indicating infinite and minimal focus distance) very different than the 35mm F1.4.. There is a lot of distance between the 2 boxes now. I thought I had moved my AF point or this was some misalignment or off calibration, but I guess that's how it works on the new 35mm F2 now.

I have not personally read or noticed anybody who has the X-Pro1 and 35mm f2 combo mention this noticeable change in what's being displayed when using AF-S and AF Parallax Correction.

 

It took a quick moment to get use to, but I think I like this now.. The 2 boxes before with the 35mm f1.4 were very close together and harder to judge where the actual AF point falls between the 2 boxes. This more spread out look gives some space to make a better educated guess where the AF point should approximately be when using the OVF. I only have the oldest lenses such as the 35mm f1.4 and 18mm f2 and they both have similar very closely placed boxes when using OVF with AF Parallax Correction. I have no experience with any of the newer lenses since the initial 3 XF lenses came out other than this latest 35mm f2.. Do any other lenses in the XF lineup (primes primarily interested in) have more space between the 2 boxes while using OVF with AF Parallax Correction like this new 35mm f2 does?

 

I wonder why they can't update the older lenses to have match this newest offering? I think it would help.

 

So, am I asking a question or commenting?.. I guess both.. I guess I just want to be sure what I have and seeing now with the 35mm F2 is correct when using OVF and AF Parallax Correction with AF-S mode. Thanks.

[Mgjnet]

Hi Wing,

 

I too read the same post and checked out what was happening as I had just got the new 35 f2 and noticed the difference. In short after some testing the xpro1 and 35 f2 are working correctly as the corrected af frame shown for the f2 is where it should be for a lens with only one min focus distance and this is 35mm for the f2.

 

It is confusing when you also have the f1.4 because that lens like the other older lenses have two min focus distances but the ovf is showing a corrected frame for only one of that lens min focus distances. The one for when the xpro is not set in macro mode. As the non-macro distance is 80cm for the f1.4 the corrected frame displayed is also correct (macro min distance is 28cm). And why it is closer that the f2 frame is because the min focus distance is further away so less parallax effect to correct for. It is not to do with enabling easier detection of where the focus point is.

 

In summary the f2 can be used at min focus with the ovf parallax correcting correctly. As can the f1.4 at its non-macro min distance. To get to the f1.4's min (macro) distance you need to set the xpro to macro mode which automatically switches to evf.

 

If you also own the XT1 then it is also confusing because the f1.4 behaves on that body (post firmware update removal of macro mode ) as if it only has one min distance of 28 cm, hence why it seems slow on that body compared to using it on the xpro1 as it has to run its full focus length at all times now.

 

Both lenses are worth having if you can because one is one stop faster and closer focusing and one is quicker in operation and weather resistant. So really two very separate tools.

 

For all the testing details I did see Rediscover Films YouTube post on the issue.

[Mgjnet]

To check if my thoughts & testing came to the correct answer I emailed Fuji uk tech support and asked them. It's taken a few days to get an answer back but they confirm its not a fault but due to the f2 having a closer (single) min focusing distance. The answer if not truly correct as the f1.4 actually has a closer distance but only useable macro mode on the XPro1 which when activated only lets the evf be used.

 

Thank you for contacting Fujifilm UK.

 

We apologise for the delay in replying.

 

Although the focal length on the two lenses is the same, the F2 lens is capable of focusing closer to the subject than the F1.4 can. This is why the corrected af focus frame positions are different.

 

We hope this information helps.

 

Kind Regards

 

The Fujifilm X World Team

[Mgjnet]

One last thought - if the f1.4 is fitted to the XPro2 now what will happen?

 

It should in theory have its corrected af frame even further away then the f2 lens has. As now the XPro2 doesn't have a macro mode so the min distance for the f1.4 should be corrected for 28cm. (The f2 being 35cm min).